The Copa America group game 2021 has ended, with eight lucky teams advancing to the quarterfinals. The following nations qualified for the playoffs: Argentina, Ecuador, Uruguay, Colombia, Brazil, Chile, Peru and Paraguay.
Games will begin on Friday with Peru against Paraguay, followed by host nation Brazil who face a solid Chile in Rio de Janeiro. Most eligible countries have at least one Major League Soccer player. Players like Peru’s Pedro Gallese from Orlando City and Alexander Callens from New York City FC have flourished so far, while Colombia’s Yimmi Chara from the Portland Timbers is still looking for minutes.
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Here’s everything you need to know about MLS involvement in the Copa America …
Alexander Callens in action / Pedro Vilela / Getty Images
Peru has three Major League football players: Pedro Gallese (Orlando City), Alexander Callens (NYCFC) and Marcos Lopez (San Jose Earthquakes.) All three players played a crucial role in the country’s group stage campaign and became regulars in Ricardo Gareca’s start 11.
Peru has shocked so far and has advanced to the next round in Group B’s second place after Brazil with seven points. They start their knockout stage campaign on Friday against Paraguay.
Gaston Gimenez in action / Pedro Vilela / Getty Images
Paraguay called Chicago Fire’s Gaston Gimenez for their Copa America campaign 2021. Although the player has not played too often for Paraguay, he can find a few minutes against Peru on Friday.
Paraguay enters the quarterfinals after finishing third in Group A and shockingly shocked by one point.
Felipe Mora has not played too much at the Copa America / Abbie Parr / Getty Images
Portland Timbers player Felipe Mora moves on with Chile to the knockout stage. Mora’s involvement in the tournament has been quite limited and has remained on the side for the entire group game.
Chile disappointed the fans and entered the tournament as one of the favorites before they were in fourth place in Group A with just one victory in four matches.
Yimmi Chara is one of the many Portland Timbers players at the Copa America / Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Getty Images
Portland Timbers player Yimmi Chara stands as the sole MLS representative for Colombia. Despite his excitement about participating in the tournament, his commitment has been limited.
He managed to get on the bench during the match against Venezuela, but stayed on the sidelines for a full 90 minutes. The nation recorded a victory in four matches during the group stage.
Diego Palacios in action / DOUGLAS MAGNO / Getty Images
Ecuador called up three MLS players: Diego Palacios (LAFC), Xavier Arreaga (Seattle Sounders) and Jhegson Mendez (Orlando City.) All three players hope to play against tournament favorites Argentina in their play-off phase for Saturday in Goiânia.
Ecuador almost missed the quarterfinals and barely beat Venezuela by one point to qualify.
